Birth rates

Demography

The study of populations and their characteristics

What characteristics does demography study?

Size

• Age structure

• Births

• Deaths

• Immigration

• Emigration

Describe birth rates in the uk

There has been a long term decline in the number of births But There have been fluctuations in the birth rate, which increased with a ‘baby boom’ after both the First and Second World Wars

Describe fertility rates in the uk

Fertility has been below the level required to replace the population since 1973 in England and since 1974 in Wales ad Scotland

• Women are choosing to have fewer children

• The fertility rate rose to 1.9 in 2009 due to patterns of immigration as migrant families tend to have more children and larger families

• The recent rise is also due to older women having more babies

Give some evidence why imr are declining and some reasons

In 1900 the IMR was 154 with over 15% of babies dying in their first year, it now stands at 4. The IMR has fell due to the following reasons:

• Improved housing

• Better sanitation and nutrition

• Clean drinking water

• Medical advances e.g. vaccines

• Knowledge of hygiene and children’s health

• Fall in number of married women working may have improved health of child

• Improved services for mothers

• Increase in welfare state means children no longer needed for security in old age

What are the consequences of changes in fertility

The Dependency Ratio .Initially with less children this reduces the dependent population and reduces the burden on the working population. However, this will mean less adults later and smaller working population which could increase dependency.

Public Services and Policies

Schools may have to close as a result of falling numbers but could save the country money on maternity and paternity pay alongside child health services.There will be less children supporting their parents as they grow elderly so more strain on hospitals and the care sector

Family-Falling fertility rates could lead to smaller families and further changes in gender roles. allows women more time for their careers and leads to relationships between men and women becoming more equal There is also the issue of vanishing children which could alter the experience of childhood into a more lonely experience.